[TheWoodsman]

Hi, i was going to throw out a twin size box spring a few days ago and decided to put some work into it and strip it down. From that wood i have made a "free" top bar hive. Just thought i'd tell this for anyone whose getting started, where theres a will theres a way. My real question is i want to paint the outside of my hive. I wanted to know what paint to use on it?

 

[riverrat]

i use latex exterior paint.

 

[Omie]

Great that you recycled the wood.
Most folks use exterior latex, as Rat mentioned. You can also use a wood stain, or simple water-based polyurethane. Just be sure you let it dry and air out for a few days before putting any bees in it. And DON"T paint the inside where the bees will be- just paint the outside that is exposed to rain and weather.

 

[charmd2]

Oops paint. Cheaper per gallon than plain white.

 

[Bens-Bees]

Or, instead of Oops paint, go down to your local household hazardous waste center, they always have a few gallons of leftover paint people have dropped off to be disposed of... free is even better than cheap, right?

 

[charmd2]

If you have one nearby that's a great idea. I don't have a hazordous waste site near here

 

[TheWoodsman]

what color shuold it be, will they prefer a color over another?

 

[charmd2]

in your location it won't matter. Dark colors absorb more heat from sunlight. I have pretty fuschia, light blue, dark green, and tan hives right now.

 

[Hobie]

I read somewhere that "red" is not a good idea, but now I can't recall why or where I read it.

 

[Iddee]

Bees cannot see Red. They see it as black. The only thing I think might be bad about using it would be the heat factor. Red, or any dark color, will be hotter.